The Formation of Italy and Germany and the Puzzle of Federalism

The formation of Italy and Germany in the 19th century was a complex and challenging process. Both countries had long histories of division and fragmentation, and the task of creating unified nation-states was fraught with difficulty. However, both countries were eventually successful in achieving unification, and they adopted federal systems of government as a way to accommodate the diverse interests within their borders.

The Formation of Italy

Italy had been divided into a patchwork of small states and city-states for centuries. The process of unification began in the early 19th century, when a wave of nationalism swept across Europe. In 1848, a group of Italian nationalists led by Giuseppe Mazzini and Giuseppe Garibaldi launched a series of uprisings against Austrian rule. The uprisings were initially successful, but they were eventually crushed by the Austrian army.

In 1859, the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia, led by Count Camillo Cavour, formed an alliance with France and declared war on Austria. The Piedmontese army, with the help of the French, defeated the Austrians and liberated Lombardy. In 1860, Garibaldi led a thousand volunteers, known as the "Red Shirts," on an expedition to liberate Sicily and southern Italy. Garibaldi's expedition was successful, and he handed over the liberated territories to the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia.

Structuring the State: The Formation of Italy and Germany and the Puzzle of Federalism

by Daniel Ziblatt

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	806296 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	216 pages
Item Weight	:	15.9 ounces
Dimensions	:	7.87 x 5.51 x 1.57 inches

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In 1861, the Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed, with Victor Emmanuel II as its king. However, the unification of Italy was not complete. The Papal States and the Republic of Venice remained independent, and Rome was not yet the capital of Italy.

In 1870, the Papal States were annexed by the Kingdom of Italy after the Franco-Prussian War. In 1871, Rome became the capital of Italy.

The Formation of Germany

Germany had also been divided into a patchwork of small states and city-states for centuries. The process of unification began in the early 19th century, when a wave of nationalism swept across Europe. In 1815, the German Confederation was formed as a loose union of 39 states.

In 1848, a group of German nationalists led by Friedrich List and Heinrich von Gagern convened a National Assembly in Frankfurt. The National Assembly drafted a constitution for a unified Germany, but it was rejected by the German Confederation.

In 1864, Prussia, the largest and most powerful state in the German Confederation, went to war with Denmark over the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. Prussia was victorious, and the duchies were annexed by Prussia.

In 1866, Prussia went to war with Austria over the control of the German Confederation. Prussia was victorious, and the German Confederation was dissolved. In 1867, Prussia and the other German states formed the North German Confederation, a federal state under Prussia's leadership.

In 1870, Prussia went to war with France. France was defeated, and Alsace and Lorraine were annexed by Germany. In 1871, the German Empire was proclaimed, with Wilhelm I as its emperor.

The Puzzle of Federalism

Both Italy and Germany adopted federal systems of government as a way to accommodate the diverse interests within their borders. Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central government and a number of regional governments. This allows the central government to handle matters that are of national importance, while the regional governments can handle matters that are of local importance.

Federalism has been a successful system of government for both Italy and Germany. It has allowed both countries to maintain their diversity while still achieving unity. However, federalism is not without its challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the tension between the central government and the regional governments. The central government must be strong enough to maintain national unity, but it must also be flexible enough to allow the regional governments to have some autonomy.

Another challenge is the issue of representation. In a federal system, each region must be represented in the central government. This can be difficult to achieve, especially in countries with a diverse population.

Despite these challenges, federalism has been a successful system of government for both Italy and Germany. It has allowed both countries to maintain their diversity while still achieving unity.

The formation of Italy and Germany in the 19th century was a complex and challenging process. Both countries had long histories of division and fragmentation, and the task of creating unified nation-states was fraught with difficulty. However, both countries were eventually successful in achieving unification, and they adopted federal systems of government as a way to accommodate the diverse interests within their borders.

Federalism has been a successful system of government for both Italy and Germany. It has allowed both countries to maintain their diversity while still achieving unity. However, federalism is not without its challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the tension between the central government and the regional governments. Another challenge is the issue of representation.

Despite these challenges, federalism has been a successful system of government for both Italy and Germany. It has allowed both countries to maintain their diversity while still achieving unity.

Structuring the State: The Formation of Italy and Germany and the Puzzle of Federalism

by Daniel Ziblatt

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	806296 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	216 pages
Item Weight	:	15.9 ounces
Dimensions	:	7.87 x 5.51 x 1.57 inches

FREE